Members
Bill Deal (born July 8, 1944, died December 10, 2003) - vocals, organ, electric piano, bass pedals (1959-1983)
Ammon Tharp - lead vocals, drums (1959-1977), died 22 September 2017
George Bell - saxophone (1961-1963)
Ronnie Hallman - trumpet (1961-1963)
David Williams - trumpet (1961-??; 1975-1977)
Ken Dawson - trumpet (1963-1970)
Don Quisenberry - bass (1964-1978)
Rollie Ligart - trumpet (1965-1969)
Mike Kerwin - guitar, trumpet (1965-1978)
Tom Pittman - saxophone (1966-1969)
Ronny Rosenbaum - trombone (1966-1971)
Bob Fisher - saxophone, guitar (1969-1976)
Jeff Pollard - trumpet (1969-1973)
Gary Hardy - trumpet (1968-1969 & 1971-1976)
Freddy Owens - saxophone, vocals (1971-1979)
Tom Cole - drums (1980-1983)
And many others
On March 4, 1979, band member Ernest Frederick "Freddy" Owens, who joined after 1970 and played sax and bass, was robbed and shot to death by Jeremiah Carr at a Holiday Inn motel in Richmond, Virginia, where the band had a show. He had attempted to stop Carr from escaping after Carr raped his wife; two shots wounded a third man in the room. While Bill Deal kept going on with the Rhondels for another four years, he never really got over this incident and quit the music business in 1983.
Discography
Bill Deal and the Rhondels, Vintage Rock, Heritage HTS 35,003, 1969
The material for this album was recorded in New York City between July 25, 1968 (May I) and March 10, 1969 (multiple), with the most tracks recorded at Bell Sound Studio on March 10, 1969. The Swinging Tight track, recorded March 10, 1969, is distinct from the similarly-named track on the second album, below.
The Best of Bill Deal & The Rhondels, Heritage HTS 35,006, 1970
The material for this album, which substantially overlaps the Vintage Rock album, was recorded in New York City between July 25, 1968 (May I) and October 30, 1969 (Harlem Shuffle), with the most tracks recorded at Bell Sound Studio on March 10, 1969. The Swingin' Tight track, recorded on October 3, 1969, is distinct from the similarly named track on the first album, above.
Words
Bill Deal & the Rhondels Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't ever let me find you're gone cause that would bring a tear to me
This world has lost its glory let's start a brand new story now my love
Right now there'll be no other time and I can show you all my love
Talk an everlasting words and dedicate them all to me
And I will give you all my love I'm here if you should call to me
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
The lyrics to Bill Deal & the Rhondels's song Words are a plea for the person being addressed to stay with the singer. The singer asks the person to smile an everlasting smile, because it could bring them close to each other. He also asks that the person never leave, as that would make him cry. The singer acknowledges that the world has lost its glory, but suggests that they can start a new story together. He adds that there is no better time than right now for him to show his love. The singer then asks the person to speak everlasting words and dedicate them to him. In return, he promises to give them his love and says that he will always be there for them.
The line "You think that I don't even mean a single word I say, it's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away" can be interpreted in different ways. It could mean that the singer's words may seem empty, but it is all he has to offer to try and win the person's heart. Alternatively, it could suggest that words can have a powerful impact on someone's emotions and feelings, which the singer is hoping to use to his advantage.
Line by Line Meaning
Smile an everlasting smile a smile could bring you near to me
If you smile at me, I will feel closer to you.
Don't ever let me find you're gone cause that would bring a tear to me
If you leave me, it will make me very sad.
This world has lost its glory let's start a brand new story now my love
The world is not as beautiful as it could be. Let's make our own beautiful story together.
Right now there'll be no other time and I can show you all my love
Let's make the most of this moment and I will show you how much I love you.
Talk an everlasting words and dedicate them all to me
Speak to me with words that will last forever and dedicate them to me.
And I will give you all my love I'm here if you should call to me
If you need me, I will be there for you and give you all my love.
You think that I don't even mean a single word I say
You doubt that I am sincere in what I say.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
But all I have are these words to express my love and win your heart.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
Again, all I have are these words to win your heart.
It's only words and words are all I have to take your heart away
And once more, all I can use are these words to win your love.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Barry Gibb, Maurice Ernest Gibb, Robin Hugh Gibb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind